Competing for Love

t canceling a hundred times but stopped by reminding herself it was a business dinner and noth

ke-out. She sometimes was at the office until after ten and came back first thing in the morning. It didn't leave much room for a so

er briefcase, purse, and Hayden's suit jacket as she walked out. Everyone else

s surprised the driver couldn't hear it. When they pulled up, she saw Hayden standing outside waiting for her. Could he have go

soon as Hayden saw it was her, he rushed over. She could smell his e

she stepped out of the car. Natalia hesitated briefly before taking it, but eventually, she did. His hand was strong, war

et." She said, hol

this one with you. Are you ready to go in?" He took the hanger and dry clea

yden looked at her in surprise. He thought it was sad to have lived in the city for any amount of time but not dine o

table so we could talk without a bunch of nosey people interrupting us."

and saw the fear in her eyes. He knew she was thinking a

. Natalia, I promise I won't hurt you." She looked into his eyes and saw the concern i

et me alone. I guess it hit me a little harder than I thought." Natalia looked away a

u again. Don't worry. I didn't say your name, so no one else had a clue of who I was talking about." He had already anticipated that she

ey got into the elevator. There were a lot of people pushing their way on. Eventually, she and Hayden were shoved into a

oom. Hayden didn't move entirely away from her, though. T

hey were shown to their table in the back. Just as Hayden had said, it was private but not isolated. Sh

d, remembering her drinking a g

if they think you're drinking with them." She shrugged as she looked down at the menu. Natal

s entire life. She appeared rough and tough, but he could tell she was actually a softy. He had done his research a

atalia asked as she looked up

ed at his menu but wasn't seeing the selections. He was thinking of how innocent she

with a smile. Hayden saw the waiter's face get a little flushed fr

meant to as he tried to get the man's attention off her. The waiter quickly t

ave him running scared." She looked

ing at you." He answered honest

ntact." She thought back to her interaction with the waiter and

e for business, but he doesn't know that." He hadn't expected her to actually question him about it. Now he was fu

a drink of her iced tea as she watched him. She thought his reaction was cute but wanted to return to busine

omething straight." Hayd

She asked with

eem very icy to me." Natalia almost spit her drink out as

o doesn't need them to help her get what she wants. I wanted to be respected for the way I worked, not who I slept with. Those same men started calling me the ice queen. The name st

ho only want to use you to increase their status." Hayden gave her a smile before taking another drink of his

s working together?" S

both of our businesses? I think we could conquer the world. I know that you prefer to help struggling companies and become partners. On the other hand, I like to buy a strugglin

he ate a few more bites while she thought about it, and she found no reason to say no. She did feel that he was

ir businesses, but he was also hoping to get closer to her. He knew from his research that she never had rela

ody. Hayden wanted her for her. The more he got to know Natalia, the more he thought he had found the woman

put it officially on paper?" Natal

this is the beginning of a beautiful partnership.

______

being shown to their seats. One of them looked around and

sat down. Shania looked across the room, and she fe

s she stared at the coupl

they call the ice que

ationship. Still, for her, he was the only man she wanted. He had never said he loved her or even wanted anything serious with her, but that didn'

word she said. He never did that with her. Whenever she talked, he ignored her. After they had sex, he would sometimes leave without saying a word. They had only been together a few times, but that w